15. And Numenius and his company came from Rome, having letters to the kings and to the countries, wherein were written these things:
16. Lucius, consul of the Romans, to king Ptolemy, greeting:
17. The Jews’ ambassadors came to us as our friends and confederates, to renew the old friendship and confederacy, being sent from Simon the high priest, and from the people of the Jews:
18. moreover they brought a shield of gold of a thousand pound.